Having taken half within the opening follow on the Japanese Grand Prix with Alpine, Ryō Hirakawa has introduced that he’ll be a part of Haas as reserve driver within the the rest of the 2025 F1 season.
The Japanese driver – who presently competes for Toyota within the FIA World Endurance Championship – will now be a part of Haas following a profitable outing on the post-season check in Abu Dhabi final December the place he drove the American group’s VF-24.
Having participated in a number of FP1 outings with F1 groups, from 2024 to as lately as final weekend in Japan, Hirakawa will get behind the wheel of the VF-25 at 4 FP1 classes this season.
The Japanese driver will take over driving duties from Oliver Bearman within the opening follow at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, and once more in Mexico later within the season. His team-mate Esteban Ocon will then vacate his seat without cost follow classes for Hirakawa in Spain and Abu Dhabi.
The 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, and two-time Hypercar Champion has expertise over a number of disciplines; together with Tremendous System, Tremendous GT and the World Endurance Championship.
Commenting on the announcement, Hirakawa stated: “I’m excited to affix MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, I actually respect this chance, and I’m actually wanting ahead to a brand new journey with the group.
“I’m driving my first FP1 session in Bahrain, so for me to have pushed at two race weekends in a row is thrilling, and I can’t wait to get to Bahrain. I wish to thank Komatsu-san, MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, Morizo-san (Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Company) and Toyota GAZOO Racing for this chance, it’s a brand new problem for me and I can’t wait to get began.”
“It’s nice to welcome Ryō to MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and have his expertise bolster our information and understanding of the VF-25,” shared Haas group boss Ayao Komatsu.
“His suggestions was very detailed on the post-season check final 12 months, so having the ability to present Ryō helpful monitor time throughout 4 totally different circuits this 12 months will assist the whole group. As a part of our collaboration with Toyota GAZOO Racing, it’s nice to welcome new expertise into the group – it’s an actual pleasure to work with a racer of his driving acumen.”
